How do you order numbers?
Lots of things come in an order, like things that happen during your day or the pages in a book.
But what order should you say your numbers and how can you tell which number is bigger or smaller?
There are ways to help you get your numbers in order.
Let’s find out!
Activity: How to order numbers
Complete this interactive activity to understand how to order numbers. Then put your knowledge to the test.
Ordering groups of objects
Sometimes it can be easier to see which numbers are bigger or smaller by building groups of objects.
You can build numbers with cubes.
Putting them in neat lines makes them easier to compare.
The blue line is the longest, so it must be the biggest number.
Ordering using a number track
A number track can help you order numbers.
Image caption, Take a look at this number track. The numbers go from smallest to biggest - from 0 to 10. Above the number track are the numbers 6, 8 and 3. Let's use the number track to put these numbers in order.
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Example 1
Which number is the smallest?
✓ 3
You can show this with number and picture tiles.
3 has less spots than 9, so is the smallest.
You can also see that 3 comes before 9 on a number line.
Example 2
Here are 3 numbers. Which number is the biggest?
✓ 8.
You can show this with number and picture tiles.
If you count the spots, 8 has the most, so it is the biggest number.
You can check your answer by counting along the number track.
Example 3
Can you put the numbers in order from smallest to biggest?
✓ 3, 4, 5
3 is the smallest number, so it must go first.
4 follows 3. The last number is 5.
You can check your answer by counting along the number track.
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More on Number
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